The 10th Sunday after Pentecost: Modified Holy Communion Service Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 10:00 am

Opening Hymn Vs 1,2,3

Welcome and Opening Sentence

Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen! People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Collect for Purity (All say together)

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.

He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’“ So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him

out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” —that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 105: 1-6. (responsively by whole verse)

1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *make known his deeds among the peoples.

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *and speak of all his marvelous works.

3 Glory in his holy Name; *let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *continually seek his face.

5 Remember the marvels he has done, *his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *O children of Jacob his chosen.

The Second Lesson Romans 10:5-15

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?

“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn VS 1, 3

The Gospel Matthew 14:22-33

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Dr. Russ Norris

An affirmation of Faith (all say together) You, O God, are supreme and holy. You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us. You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again. You are with us now. You are God. You, O God, are Holy Spirit. You empower us to be your gospel in the world. You reconcile and heal; you overcome death. You are our God. We worship you.

Prayers of the People Bidding: O give thanks to the Lord, and call on his name, Response: Make known his deeds among the people.

Please join us in praying for: Brittany Anthony, Richard Allen, Claire Anderson, Robert Anderson, Kathryn Anschutz, Philip Armstrong, Jordon Ashwood, Dottie Averna, John Damon, Tino DiGiovanni, Bill Babcock, Don Barton, Eric Blackburn, Jill Blum, Michelle Bond, Ken Bradbury, Meg Broadhurst, Marcia Brown, Jonie Buckley, Carol Call Byrd Cassibry, Ellen Chechile, Joanna Chechile, Peter Clark, Nancy Connor, Eddie Crowley, Alexis Daniuk and Tony Botticello, Caroline Eaddy, Susan Dewey, Cherrie Dubois, Bill and Paula Connolly, Dick Cryan, Peter deMello, Beatrice Endocott, James & Ellen Falway, Vanessa & Matt Flannes, Stan Flynn, Carol Gatto, Cindy Giovaniello, Beth Goodrich, Beartrice Greenwood, Gregory Greenwood, Laney Hamblett, Ken Harper, Mary Hickey, Sallie Irwin, ‘Red’ Jalbert, Sue Jilson, Nathan Jones, Deborah Kearns, Fred Kraics, David Lapham, Art Laughton, Karen LeBlanc, Tessa LeBlanc, Joan LeMarbre, Martha Lewis, Bev Lieberman, Kate Lonergan, Amy Loudemilk, Jim Lovell, Bill Low, Chris Low, Vic Mankiewicz, Hub Mathewson, Jesse Mueller, Liz Mumford, Dauna Musick, David Nawrocki, Sue Nash, Maria Nelson, Sean Norton, B.L. Owens, Cally Outwin, Marian Painter, Robert Parker, Bonnie Phelps, Marta Pleiter, Jan Quaritius, Jim Quarto, Carol Quinley, Kimberly Richards, Pat and Don Ritchie, Peg Rose, Brooks Smith, John Stackhouse, Ruthie Sundberg, Lauren Stanley, Alice Sweeney, Sherry Tarpinian, Stephen Wilkinson, Kim Wolfe, Linda Wolfe, Raymond Wright Jr., and for: Alexandra, Allen, Anne-Marie, Clif, Cory, David, Don, Debbie, Ed & Irish, Elizabeth, Gary, Greer, Jake, Jan, Jane, Janet, Jerrie, Jess, Jim, Kate, Kathey, Kim, Kristin, Izzy, Laura, Madeleine, Margaret, Melissa, Murray, Nickie, Pat, Patti, Phyllis, Rebecca, Ruth, Sara, Siena, Sue, Ted, Terry, Tony, Winnie & Don. Please join us in praying for professionals on the front line: Jennifer Babcock, Michelle Babcock, Chris Flynn, Rebecca Graziano, Andy Huther, Bill Huther, Katie Huther, Kelcie & Kenneth Knowles, David Mason, Tom McKean, Rosa Ramirez-Mendez, Diane Munsell, Kimberly Schoener, Jeff Spillane, Jonathan Stackhouse, Kari Steinetz, Kelsey Rezendes, Mary Tempesta, Beatrix Walters, Wendy Young, Brian, Shawn.

Confession and Absolution (In unison)

Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift: You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us. We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others. We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while making judgements of others based on the color of skin, or the shape of features, or the varieties of human experience. We have tried to love our neighbors individually while yet benefitting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression. Forgive us, Holy God. Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people. Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love. Restore us in your image, to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace

Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Modified Holy Communion

Celebrant: The Spirit of God be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Lift your hearts to heaven People: Where Christ in glory reigns. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to God. People: It is right to offer thanks and praise.

Gracious and Everlasting One, it is right and good, always and everywhere to give thanks to you — even the places where we are scattered right now. We give you thanks for calling forth creation and blending dust with your breath in the emergence of life. We bless you for the covenants you have made with your people,

for our ancestors in the faith, and the ways that you call us into community with all people everywhere. We praise you, for the life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and for the way of compassion, justice, and communion he lived and taught. Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you and say:

Holy, holy, holy: God of mercy, giver of life; earth and sea and sky and all that lives, declare your presence and your glory. We remember, Blessed One, that when the risk of arrest and execution became clear, Jesus asked his disciples to prepare a borrowed room where they could eat together, and give thanks, and prepare. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Until we can gather our weary bodies in this place again, until we can share among us the same food and drink, until we can breathe the same air, and look into each other’s eyes, and pass the peace of your Son Jesus among these bodies you have created as good, and perhaps sense your beloved kingdom coming near, may your Holy Spirit hover, and brood like a mother hen, over each and every table, every meal where we wait. May that tender Spirit reach into all the quiet corners of loneliness and worry, reminding us of the deeper, wider communion in which all things dwell with you. May that Spirit keep us hungry for community, for the just and compassionate world you seek; may it keep us awake and expectant, looking always for your kingdom coming near. Now together let us pray as Jesus taught us: The Lord’s Prayer (said in unison) We pray for your church, that it may rise up in the face of this crisis and embody the ministry of Jesus once again, bringing healing, bringing justice, reaching out to those who are alone. We pray for other faith communities as well, for the ways that they are responding with compassion and care, and we pray for those of no faith,

who are also loved dearly by you. Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto you. Amen, and let all the people say “Amen.”

A moment of silence is observed A General Thanksgiving (Officiant and People pray together)

God, you are our beginning and you will be our end; we are made in your image and likeness. We praise and thank you for this day. This is the day on which you created light and saw that it was good. This is the day in whose early morning light we discovered the tomb was empty, and encountered Christ, the world’s true light. This is the day you have made; we shall rejoice and be glad in it. Eternal God, grant to us this day and every day such readiness and delight in following Christ, that whether our lives are short or long we shall have lived abundantly.

Closing Hymn vs 1,2

Blessing and Announcements

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